Hayward requires a planner consultation step before opening an e-Permit application. The city operates two permit tracks: fully custom ADUs and pre-approved plan sets (purchased from the Hayward ADU Plans Gallery).
JADU not larger than 500 sq ft within an existing/proposed single-family home. ADU is a full independent dwelling unit. Full dimensional standards per submitted construction documents and code.
State guarantee: California requires every city to allow at least an 800 sq ft ADU exempt from local lot coverage, FAR, and front-setback rules.
Height baseline: 16 ft for detached, rising to 18 ft within ½ mile of major transit. Attached ADUs follow the primary home, capped at 25 ft.
Compliance with applicable California codes and state law. Site-specific parking determined through plan review.
Mandatory Hayward e-Permit Portal submission. Planner pre-check (email/phone) before applying. Separate e-permit types for custom vs pre-approved plan sets.
State backstop: A complete ADU permit must receive a decision in 60 business days. If the city stalls past 30 business days, AB 253 lets you hire a certified private plan checker to force a 10-business-day decision.
Plan Review Fee due before review. Remaining permit fees due at issuance. Detailed fee list on the Hayward Permit Center fee page.
SB 543: No impact fees on ADUs ≤750 sq ft. Above 750 sq ft, fees scale to the ratio of ADU size vs the main home.
Visit the official Hayward ADU page (link in hero) for current eligibility and downloads.
Standard ADUs in Hayward: no owner-occupancy required (made permanent in 2023).
JADUs: limited to 500 sq ft of interior livable space within an existing single-family home. Owner occupancy is required only when sanitation facilities are shared with the main house. JADUs cannot be used as short-term rentals (AB 1154 / SB 543).
Sketch a floorplan, walk through it in 3D, and have our planners review it for size, height, and setback compliance before you submit to Hayward.
Heads up: Local rules change frequently. This page summarizes publicly available state law (California Government Code §§ 66310–66342) and current local guidance for general planning purposes. Always confirm specifics with the Hayward planning desk before submitting plans. ADUMetrics does not provide legal advice.